BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.
Fire Danger Notice 05 of 2021
Issue date: 29 June 2021 @ 1600hrs
Forest Fire
Danger Rating
Condition Orange – High Fire Risk
Warning Effective From 1200hrs 29/06/2021
Effective Period Expires 1200hrs 05/07/2021
Arising from current dry weather patterns and high temperatures a high fire risk is deemed to
exist in all areas where hazardous fuels such as dead grasses and shrub fuels such as
heather and gorse exist. This risk phase is expected to peak on Friday, July 2nd, 2021.
Higher visitor activity levels at recreational sites can be expected in line with fine weather
and summer holiday usage patterns. Members of the public intending to visit forests and
other recreational sites are reminded to adhere to regulations introduced to limit the spread
of Covid-19. Vehicles must not be parked at site entrances or impede emergency service
access to forest roads. Forest visitors should not use barbeques or open fires at any stage.
Fire behaviour and spread rates are likely to be moderated by higher live fuel moisture levels
in vegetation, but near drought conditions may exist on some site types, particularly on
lowland peat sites and in eastern regions.
Pending significant rainfall, this risk condition will remain in place until 1200hrs on Monday, July
5th, 2021 unless otherwise stated by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.
Advice to Forest Owners and Managers
All forest owners and managers are again advised to prepare for likely outbreaks of fire. Fire
lines, Fire Plans, fire suppression equipment should be reviewed and made ready and other
relevant contingencies such as insurance, helicopter contracts etc., checked and confirmed.
The need for increased vigilance at this time cannot be overstated. Forest owners, farmers,
rural dwellers and other countryside users are asked to be extremely vigilant regarding fire
activity, to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the Gardai and to report all fires
immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999.
The Department recommends that forest owners and managers should consider the fire
mitigation measures that they can put in place to help prevent loss or damage to forest
resources through fire. Examples of such measures are:
1. Risk assessment:
Assess your property with regard to fire risk and mitigation factors. Is there a risk of fire or
presence of hazardous fuel vegetation on neighbouring lands? Is there a history of land
burning in the vicinity of your forest? Are access routes adequate, accessible and clear of
obstructions? Is there a firebreak in place and has it been adequately maintained?
2. Prepare:
Fire Plans should be developed for all forests, including a map showing access routes and
assembly points for fire fighting personnel and equipment and potential sources of water.
The plan should also include contact details for the emergency services, local private and
Coillte foresters, neighbouring landowners and forest owners in order to summon help
should the need arise.
Have fire-fighting tools such as beaters and knapsack sprayers to hand and ready to use. If
you do not live in reasonable proximity to your woodland, a local caretaker or forest
neighbour should be employed and should also have a copy of the fire plan with your and all
the above contact numbers.
Clear tracks and roads if available and ensure forest entrances and access routes are not
blocked by parked vehicles or other obstacles, especially where visitors or recreational users
may be present. Suitable signage to this effect should be displayed on gates or barriers.
Firebreaks should be created (if not already in place) by screefing or removing vegetation
mechanically by excavator so that the soil is bare. Fire breaks should be at least 6 metres
wide and should be maintained clear of flammable vegetation.
3. Be Vigilant:
Forest owners should be particularly vigilant during the high risk period. Fire patrols may be
warranted in known fire hotspots. Be particularly vigilant at Bank Holiday weekends where
high risk weather is forecast. Cooperation between neighbouring landowners is critical to
successful fire prevention. Forest owners should discuss their concerns about fire with
neighbouring landowners in advance of the fire season. Providing assistance to farmers
wishing to carry out legal prescribed burning earlier in the season is a useful way of
developing good working relationships with neighbours, as well as ensuring that operations
BE PREPARED. BE VIGILANT. STAMP OUT FOREST FIRES.
are conducted safely during lower risk conditions. Forest owners should cooperate with fire
planning and share the burden of fire patrols and vigilance during high risk periods.
4. Obey the Law:
It is an offence to cut, grub, burn or otherwise destroy any vegetation growing on any land
not then cultivated between 1st March and 31st August in any year. Report all suspicious or
illegal activity to Gardai immediately. Landowners wishing to carry out legally permitted
prescribed burning must notify in writing all forest owners within one mile of the wood, and
the local Garda station, between 7 and 35 days in advance of the burning operation. All
burning operations should be notified to the Fire Service, via the control centre by
telephoning 112/999 BEFORE burning commences. Landowners found burning illegally
could face fines, imprisonment and Single Farm Payment penalties, where applicable.
5. Report Fires Immediately:
If you see a fire, do not delay; report it to the Fire and Emergency Services straight away. Do
not wait for somebody else to make the call. Dial 999 or 112. You will not be billed by the
fire service or local authority for making the call. Give clear details as regards location,
where at all possible using a national grid reference and any other useful information such
as the size of the fire, wind direction, proximity to dwellings or forestry etc. Do not attempt to
tackle fires alone or without adequate training or protective equipment.
6. Report Losses:
If your forest is damaged or destroyed, report this loss as soon as possible to your local
Gardai station and to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Johnstown
Castle Estate, Co. Wexford.
Advice to the General Public/Forest Visitors
Members of the public and visitors to recreational areas should cooperate with all requests
regarding fire safety, obey all relevant bye-laws and be considerate in parking vehicles so as
not to impede access by emergency vehicles.
Where fire outbreaks occur at or near recreational areas the following actions should be
taken by visitors in the interests of safety.
1. Do not light fires in and around forests or open land.
2. Do not attempt to intervene or fight fires under any circumstances.
3. Gather all family/group members and move to a safe fuel-free location such as a car
park, upwind of the fire.
4. Telephone Fire and Rescue Services via 112 and report the fire and its location.
5. Evacuate if instructed to do so, and cooperate with all Emergency Service
Instructions.
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/01773-fire-management/#fire-danger-notices
